GEHE UK, the Coventry pharmaceutical group, is about to launch a multi-million-pound plan to develop its network of health centres....

GEHE UK, the Coventry pharmaceutical group, is about to launch a multi-million-pound plan to develop its network of health centres.

The investment strategy ties in with the Government's policy of modernising or renewing 3,000 GP premises and developing 500 one-stop primary care centres to incorporate different health-care providers.

GEHE UK, has already committed #25 million to the development of 12 new health centres across the UK and is in talks about a further 50 projects.

The German group, which owns Lloydspharmacy, AAH Pharmaceuticals and Farillon, has set up a scheme to offer GPs and health-care trusts initial funding, obtain planning and building consents, as well as develop and manage their own health-care centres,

The packages can range from a small general practice surgery to a multi-discipline primary care resource centre accommodating other health-care providers, such as pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, midwives and community nurses.

Bob Smaylen, group property director at GEHE, said: "We recognise the need to work with other health-care practitioners in developing purpose-built premises which will enable them to provide the best professional service to patients."

He said that Lloydspharmacy already operated more than 150 pharmacies within primary health-care centres and 10 years experience working with doctors, design professionals and other developers in the design and construction of these premises.

Iqbal Gill, UK development manager, said: "Throughout the country there are countless partnerships of doctors practising out of premises that are no longer suitable and often in cramped conditions."

He said the company was looking to work with doctors to provide modern, purpose-built premises that are conveniently located, and could include a pharmacy operated independently by Lloydspharmacy or an independent pharmacist.